Essay Sample on Diversity in the Medical Office

Introduction

Each person has a particular character trait or ability that makes them unique compared to other people. In most workplaces, the diversity is based on the ability to carry out a specific activity in a manner that is unique compared to that of other people. In the medical sector, diversity is based on all the factors that make a person or healthcare worker different. It is essential that the medical office takes into consideration all the elements that enhance diversity such as including it in their mission and vision among other factors. This essay focuses on the diversity in the medical office by explaining it into details.

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In a medical setting, some factors can be considered when evaluating the diversity of the people who are involved in the setup. First, there is the knowledge that each member has. All the people in the office may not have the same level of education. Some may have advanced in their levels of education while some may still be in the junior levels. Part of the staff may have specialized in some sectors of medicine while others have a broad scope in many areas of practice. In addition to that, the nurses or doctors do not have the same level of experience. Some of the personnel have been in the sector for long periods and have, therefore, developed significant expertise.

Other factors also make the workers different compared to the others such as their race, religion, culture among others. The matters are very sensitive, and slight errors in the medical office may lead to more massive misunderstanding. Several challenges face the medical sector due to this differences that the medical practitioners and patients have. In evading any encounters that are caused by the differences that the individuals have, it is possible to display helpful and constructive contribution to the work tasks. It is crucial to demonstrate ethical behavior in the interactions that the different people have. One should avoid any encounters that may violate the religious, cultural and racial background of a person. If the person who is violated against is a colleague, the result is that they may avoid working with the person who discriminates them. In the case when the affected party is a patient, the outcome may be that they are not satisfied and may prefer a different medical officer who observes the beliefs and the morals that are acceptable to the patient.

Some of the effects of culture in the medical sector are listed below. In some traditional cultures, people may avoid seeking medical attention pertaining some of the sensitive issues. Some cultures may condemn some of the illnesses claiming that they are as a result of sins that one has committed which results in the people avoiding any confrontations with doctors about the issues. The medical practitioners who are strict followers of them may not be comfortable getting involved in some practices. The acceptance of diagnosis on the patients may also differ depending on the diversity. Due to the influence of the people around them some patients choose to avoid accepting their illnesses and seek alternative reasons for the conditions they are facing. If the culture accommodates the illness as standard, the patients may accept the diagnosis and adhere to the doctor's advice. In such cases, the medical personnel should not go against the patients' expectations by violating their cultural diversity. An excellent example of a cultural belief is that facing down and avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect.

Religion too has a similar effect on medicine. An excellent example of a religious belief that has a significant impact on the medical sector is the claim that immunization is tampering with Gods creation. On this basis, some of the patients may avoid the practice. Some of the medical officers may also avoid administering the immunization if they are absolute believers. The result of such beliefs is that different patients may have different objectives when seeking treatment. It is therefore wise to consider the religion of person before carrying out the various practices (Bernat & Beresford, 2014).

Moreover, racial diversity affects medical care. An excellent example of racial beliefs is when most black people consider conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to be for the weak (Lester, Resick & Young-Xu, 2010). Such biases may lead to the patients needing some medical advice on the truth behind the condition. The medical officers should counsel the patients on misleading racial beliefs and the alternatives that they can use to obtain help and still avoid rejection from their colleagues and friends.

The benefits of having a diverse workforce are numerous. To begin with, having people from different cultural and religious backgrounds makes it easier to understand the patients and their morals. In doing so, the doctors avoid breaking the acceptable code of ethics that the patients have. The result of this is maximum patient satisfaction which is beneficial to both the patient and the hospital. Furthermore, diversity allows the sharing of ideas between the different workers which results in better solutions that have a consideration of a wide range of differences that the workers and patients may have. It also builds the experience that the workers have due to the interaction and exposure to different situations.

Conclusion

Diversity is beneficial to the medical officers if adequately considered. It leads to many benefits such as patient satisfaction, innovation and increases the experience that the workers have. It, however, has detrimental effects if not properly analyzed and put into consideration. It is therefore essential to address the issue of diversification and layout proper means to exploit the cultural diversity.

References

Bernat, J. L., & Beresford, R. (2014). Religion and medical ethics. Ethical and Legal Issues in Neurology, 118, 79.

Lester, K., Artz, C., Resick, P. A., & Young-Xu, Y. (2010). Impact of race on early treatment termination and outcomes in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 78(4), 480.